Madrid in 4 Days: everything you need to know

Although there's plenty to see and do in Madrid, four days are enough to get to know the essentials. Here's a practical and organised itinerary to get the most out of the Spanish capital.

Start your trip in the heart of Madrid, discovering its most emblematic squares and some of its most important historic buildings.

• Stroll through Puerta del Sol, one of Madrid's most iconic spots, where you'll find kilometre zero and the famous statue of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree. If you feel like getting to know this starting point better, you can book a guided tour of Madrid.
• From there, walk to the Plaza Mayor and stop at the Mercado de San Miguel, ideal for a first lunch. If you visit Madrid at Christmas time, you will find a fantastic Christmas market there. And if you prefer a more complete experience, you can book a gastronomic tour.
• Nearby, enter the Almudena Cathedral, the most important religious temple in the city. To delve into its history and architecture, you can book a guided tour of the Almudena Cathedral.
• Next, visit the imposing Royal Palace, the former home of the Spanish monarchy. You can either book your tickets to the Royal Palace or visit the Royal Palace and see all the highlights in advance.
• In the evening, stroll through the Sabatini Gardens, right next to the Palace. They are ideal for watching the sunset. You can take advantage of this visit if you have already booked tickets to the Royal Palace.
• In the evening, nothing better than closing with a good plan: one of the wine and tapas tours around the city, which you can book here.

Spend this second day touring the cultural hub of the Paseo del Prado.

• Start the day at the Plaza and Palacio de Cibeles, where the town hall is now located. You can book a tour of the viewpoint of the Palacio de Cibeles to see the whole area from above.
• Walk along the Paseo del Prado until you reach the Neptune Fountain, a much-photographed neoclassical monument that you'll see if you book a guided tuk tuk tour of Madrid.
• Continue on to the Prado Museum, where you can see some of the finest works of European art. You can either book a guided tour or buy your Prado Museum tickets in advance. You can also visit the Prado shop if you are looking for souvenirs.
• After your visit, have lunch at one of the restaurants near the Prado Museum
• In the afternoon, stroll through the Retiro Park, the green lung of the city. You can book a tour of the Retiro so you don't miss the essentials: the Crystal Palace, the Paseo de las Estatuas, with sculptures of Spanish monarchs, and the Retiro Lake, ideal for sunset.
• At night, a unique option is to enjoy one of the flamenco shows. You can book a flamenco show in Madrid in several historic venues.

This day is perfect for shopping, exploring the modern centre of Madrid and seeing one of the best sunsets in the city.

• Start at Plaza del Callao, Madrid's "Times Square", ideal if you've booked your ticket for the Madrid sightseeing bus.
• Walk along the Gran Vía, where you can go shopping, have a coffee or simply enjoy its emblematic buildings. A good way to do this is to book a private shopping tour of Madrid.
• Go as far as the Plaza de España and the famous Miguel Cervantes Monument with Don Quixote and Sancho Panza. You can book a bike tour of Madrid to explore the area in a more dynamic way.
• Just a few steps away is the Temple of Debod, an Egyptian jewel gifted to Spain, perfect for sunset. You can get there on foot or book a seat on Madrid's tourist bus.
• Finally, go up to the terrace of the Círculo de Bellas Artes, from where you'll have spectacular views of the city.

On your last day, tour some essential historical monuments and museums.

• Start at the Puerta de Alcalá, one of Madrid's best-known symbols. It will be one of the stops if you decide to book a guided tour of Madrid.
• Walk to the Royal Botanical Garden of Madrid, a quiet visit ideal for spring or autumn. If you want something different, you can book a private bike tour of Madrid.
• Nearby is Atocha Station, with its tropical garden. Take the opportunity to take a break or enjoy a private gastronomic tour of Madrid with 10 tastings.
• In the same area, visit the Reina Sofía Museum, where you can see works by Picasso, Dalí and Miró. You can book a guided tour of the Reina Sofía Museum or book your ticket to the Reina Sofía Museum. And don't forget to stop by the Reina Sofía Museum shop.
• To round off your trip, booking a bike tour of Madrid or a Segway tour of Madrid could be the most fun way to say goodbye.

If you have less time available, I recommend you to check these alternative itineraries:

• Itinerary to see Madrid in 3 days.
• Itinerary to see Madrid in 2 days.
• Itinerary to see Madrid in 1 day.